Gateron Ink Yellow vs. Outemu Silent White

Overview

When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the Gateron Ink Yellow and the Outemu Silent White both offer unique features that cater to different preferences. The Gateron Ink Yellow is a linear switch known for its shorter travel distance, providing a typing experience that falls between that of a laptop and a standard mechanical keyboard. With a pleasant smoothness and clackiness, this switch is ideal for those looking for a neutral, clacky, mild, and polished typing feel. On the other hand, the Outemu Silent White is also a linear switch, but lacks notable characteristics. While the Ink Yellow stands out for its specific attributes, the Silent White offers a more generic typing experience. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the best switch for you.

By the numbers

Gateron Ink Yellow Linear

Outemu Silent White Linear

$7.50

$7.35 per 10

$3.10 per 10

Learn moreLearn more

Housing materials

In comparing the housing materials of the Gateron Ink Yellow and the Outemu Silent White, we can see that the top housing of the Ink Yellow features a proprietary INK blend that produces a pointed and relatively high-pitched sound, described as clacky. On the other hand, the Silent White utilizes a polycarbonate top housing, which creates a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. The use of polycarbonate also allows for better light transmission, making it ideal for switches with RGB lighting. Overall, the top housings offer distinct sound characteristics, with the Ink Yellow providing a slightly softer sound compared to the sharper sound of the Silent White.

The bottom housing of the Ink Yellow also features the proprietary INK blend, contributing to its thin and higher-pitched sound profile. Conversely, the Silent White utilizes a nylon bottom housing, which produces a deeper and fuller sound. This difference in housing material affects the overall sound and feel of the switch, with the Ink Yellow offering a more clacky sound while the Silent White provides a rounder and duller sound. The softer nature of nylon absorbs more sound, resulting in a quieter typing experience compared to the crisper sound of the Ink Yellow.

When considering the impact of the top and bottom housings on the overall sound and feel of a switch, it is important to note that each material brings unique qualities to the typing experience. While the bottom housing influences the bottom-out sound and feel when pressing down on a key, the top housing affects the sound when releasing the key. In the case of the Gateron Ink Yellow and Outemu Silent White, the combination of the proprietary INK blend and polycarbonate in the top housing creates a sharp and crisp sound, while the nylon bottom housing of the Silent White offers a deeper and fuller sound profile. Despite their differences, both switches provide a unique typing experience based on their housing materials.

Weight

When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Gateron Ink Yellow linear switch and the Outemu Silent White linear switch, it is evident that the Silent White is the lighter option with an actuation force of 45 grams, while the Ink Yellow is heavier with an actuation force of 60 grams. Both switches have a medium bottom out force, with the Silent White at 60 grams and the Ink Yellow at 67 grams. The lighter actuation force of the Silent White makes it ideal for those looking for a lighter typing experience, allowing for longer periods of typing without fatigue. On the other hand, the heavier actuation force of the Ink Yellow provides a more substantial typing experience for those who prefer a stronger push feel. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches comes down to personal preference regarding the desired typing experience.

Travel distance

The Gateron Ink Yellow linear switch has a travel distance of 3.5 mm, while the Outemu Silent White linear switch has a travel distance of 3.3 mm. In this case, the Gateron Ink Yellow has a slightly longer travel distance compared to the Outemu Silent White. Both switches fall into the category of shorter travel distances, with the Ink Yellow being slightly longer than the Silent White. Gamers looking for faster response times may prefer the shorter travel distance of the Outemu Silent White, while those who prefer a bit more depth to their keystrokes might lean towards the Gateron Ink Yellow. Ultimately, both switches offer a relatively short travel distance, providing a quick and responsive typing experience.

Price comparison

Typing experience

In terms of sound, the Gateron Ink Yellow linear switch offers a neutral sound profile with a moderate actuation force requirement, making it suitable for a wide range of users and purposes. It also features a clacky sound, providing a sharp and snappy typing experience. On the other hand, information on the sound profile of the Outemu Silent White linear switch is unknown. It's important to note that the sound of a switch is influenced by various factors such as the keyboard's construction and keycaps used.

Moving on to the feel, the Gateron Ink Yellow switch is recognized for its mild typing experience, offering a gentle feel that falls in a safe, middle-ground zone suitable for most users. Additionally, this switch is described as polished, providing a smooth and refined key travel due to either high-quality materials or factory lubrication. Conversely, details on the feel of the Outemu Silent White switch are not available. Overall, while the Gateron Ink Yellow switch offers a pleasant typing experience with a unique blend of smoothness and clackiness in sound, it is unknown how the Outemu Silent White switch compares in terms of feel and sound.

In the absence of information on the Outemu Silent White switch, it is recommended to consider the Gateron Ink Yellow linear switch if you desire a switch with a shorter travel distance, moderate actuation force requirement, neutral sound profile with a hint of clackiness, and a mild and polished typing feel. Remember that individual preferences play a significant role in choosing the right mechanical keyboard switch, so it's essential to consider factors like typing style, noise tolerance, and preferred tactile feedback when selecting the best switch for your keyboard.

Conclusion

In closing, when deciding between the Gateron Ink Yellow and the Outemu Silent White linear switches, consider your preference for typing experience and sound profile. Choose the Gateron Ink Yellow if you prefer a smooth and clacky typing experience with a medium-heavy bottom out force. This switch is ideal for those seeking a balance between laptop and standard mechanical keyboard typing. On the other hand, opt for the Outemu Silent White if you prefer a lighter bottom out force and a quieter typing experience. This switch is great for those looking for a gentle and polished typing feel. Ultimately, your choice between these two switches should be based on your personal typing preferences and requirements.

Mentioned in this article

Gateron Ink Yellow Linear

$7.50

$7.35 per 10

Learn more

Outemu Silent White Linear

$3.10 per 10

Learn more